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More people are discovering the all-inclusive pleasures of a cruise vacation. Singles,
families, couples, honeymooners and groups of friends are all sailing away on their
dream vacation. Last year, over seven million people took a cruise. Learn why more
people are cruising than ever before. After all, You Haven't Lived Until You've
Cruised! |
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Learn More...
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 Benefits of Cruising
Cruising is the best way to explore the world, satisfying your desire for adventure
at your own pace. You can visit different cities, countries, even continents - and
you can do this all while only having to unpack and pack one time while onboard!
Check out why a cruise is the right choice for you.
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For Your Convenience
- Almost all special dietary requirements can be accommodated
- All cruise lines
include meals with the price of your cruise
- Most ships offer at least one option
for 24-hour dining
- Shore excursions are offered on all ships and most itineraries
for ship guests
- Evening activities including Las Vegas- and Broadway-style shows
are included in the price of your cruise
- All ships offer fitness center facilities
in addition to outdoor activity options
- Internet cafes are available on most
ships and are usually 24-hours
- Some cruise lines have a completely optional
gratuity policy
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Onboard Life
Here is an example of some entertainment and services that are included with the
price of your cruise:
- Most ships offer direct-connect internet portals in the comfort of your own stateroom
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Multiple dining choices, including the main dining rooms, supper clubs, buffets,
and 24-hour room service
- Massive cuisine choices, from fresh and healthy spa
meals to sumptuous and exciting late-night buffets
- Shows in the evening, including
occasional headliners, comedians, ice shows and more!
- Duty-free (tax-free) shopping
is available onboard the ship and in the ports of call, and includes jewelry, perfume,
clothing, liquor, and other regional items and delicacies
- Some ships have movie
theaters showing first- and recent-run movies
- Tranquil spaces include internet
cafes, libraries, and card rooms
- Adventurous activities such as rock-climbing,
roller blading, and mini-golfing atop the ship
- Enrichment seminars and classes
like wine-tasting, local cuisine-inspired cooking classes, photo and computer courses,
and casino classes
- Sporting activities and tournaments such as shuffleboard,
ping-pong, basketball, tennis and water-volleyball
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 Cruising
Questions
Find the answers to even the strangest cruising questions here! You'll find information
on conducting research for your cruise, the cruise reservation process, preparing
to cruise, life onboard a cruise ship, and cruise destinations. We'll make sure
you stay informed from the moment you start your cruise planning
You've got questions, we've got answers! We make sure you're covered from the research
process all the way through to the end of your cruise.
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Find the cruise that's right for you and learn about the differences between the
vast array of options available to you.
- Why Take a Cruise?
Why take a cruise vacation?
There are so many reasons why cruising is the best way to travel. Cruises include
delicious meals and a wide variety of entertainment options. Cruise packages
add value to your vacation and offer air, free pre- and post-hotel stays, and more!
During the time where you would be traveling from one city to another, you can enjoy
shows, tournaments, fine dining, a book by the pool, and a private stateroom to
retreat to at your leisure.
- Cruise Types/ship Classifications
What cruise line should I choose?
With such a wide variety of cruise lines and ships offering endless options, there
is something for everyone. Each cruise line offers a different type of cruising
style. For instance, those who are looking for a fun cruise where they can dance
the night away would probably be looking for a Carnival cruise. Norwegian offers Freestyle cruising where the guest
can cruise at their own pace, all without the stress of dress codes. Cruisers wanting
a casual and upscale environment often choose Oceania or Windstar. Guests who enjoy the whimsical experience
of a truly traditional cruise experience would be more likely to choose Cunard or Holland America. Visit the Cruise Lines page and look around to find the
right cruise line for you.
Where can I find ship details?
You can find a detailed breakdown of all cruise line and ships by starting at the
Cruise
Lines page.
Traditional versus Non-Traditional Cruising
Non-traditional cruising often incorporates a country-club casual atmosphere with
flexible seating times and relaxed dress codes. You can choose to do what you want,
when you want, how you want, and with whom you want. Norwegian and Princess were the first to lead the way in this relaxed
new style of cruising. Windstar and Disney Cruise Line followed suit shortly thereafter.
Traditional cruising offers guests assigned dining times and tables, along with
a more structured style and atmosphere. In addition, a traditional cruise will require
a specified number of formal nights, requiring formal dress for men and women. While
cruise lines such as Carnival, Celebrity, Crystal, Holland America, and Royal Caribbean all offer set dining times and
a more regimented cruise experience, they have all fallen in line and are starting
to offer more choices and alternatives to the traditional formal sit-down dining
experience.
- Cruise Types/Ship Classifications
- Destination
How do I pick an itinerary?
The choice is up to you. Many factors go in to choosing an itinerary, and choices
can be limited based on date flexibility, time off, personal obligations, etcetera.
If you're looking for a tropical climate, then look no further than the Bahamas, Caribbean, Hawaii, or the South Pacific. If you're interested
in architecture, art, and history, you may consider Europe or the Mediterranean. If you prefer more sea days to relax,
you may want to consider a Transatlantic or Repositioning cruise.
What about itinerary changes?
Per the cruise ticket contract attached to each reservation, all itineraries are
subject to change, even at the last minute. On occasion inclement weather and other
instances beyond the cruise line's control will occur and changes to the itinerary
may need to be made. This includes your port arrival and departure time, as well
as the ship's location at the pier or at anchor. On rare occasions, the ship's captain
may deem the full cancellation of a particular port of call necessary in order to
keep the ship and its passengers safe. In this case, the ship will usually try to
visit an alternate port of call.
- Young Cruisers
What ships are considered kid-friendly?
Almost all cruise lines offer an array of activities for children and teens. However,
some ships have better programs than others. Some programs have minimum age requirements
(typically 2 to 4 years of age). Disney Cruise Line is about as family-friendly as you
can get while many other cruise lines offer comparable programs and activities
that cater to the younger cruiser.
What is available for kids?
Children's activities are usually broken up by age group and can include scavenger
hunts, pool olympics, arts and crafts, movies, pizza nights and more. Many cruise
lines are starting to create a special recreation space for kids, often themed and
furnished for their enjoyment.
Can minors cruise?
Every cruise line has a different policy. Carnival, Holland America, and Windstar requires that there is at least one adult
twenty-five (25) years of age or older in each stateroom. Celebrity Cruises, Crystal, Disney Cruise Line, Norwegian, Royal Caribbean, and Princess have lower minimum age requirements
where at least one adult twenty-one (21) years of age or older must be in each stateroom.
Couples that do not meet the age requirements but are legally married can be accommodated
as long as a marriage certificate is presented at check-in.
- What's included?
- Staterooms
What stateroom categories are available?
Staterooms are classified as either inside, ocean view, balcony, or suite:
- Inside staterooms are not always the smallest stateroom on the ship, and very often
can be the same or similar in size to an ocean view or balcony. The inside stateroom
has no view and offers no natural sunlight.
- Ocean view staterooms are typically
equipped with a picture window. Sometimes ocean view staterooms offer a round porthole
window. These are typically found in staterooms toward the forward section of the
ship.
- Take special care to make sure that you are receiving the type of window in your
stateroom that you desire. Quite often there are both porthole and picture window
options available in one stateroom category onboard a ship, which can become confusing.
- Quite often, obstructed ocean-view staterooms are offered at a fantastic rate. Obstructions
can be from a lifeboat or another essential structural part of the ship. If you
don't mind a possible 40-80% obstruction, this may be the perfect price and choice
for you.
- Be sure to double check with your Executive Travel Consultant to make
sure that you have chosen the ocean view stateroom that is right for you.
- Balcony staterooms typically offer floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors leading
to a private ocean-facing balcony. Some balconies may have a picture or porthole
window with an outward-opening glass door along side of it.
- Some ships may have balcony staterooms available that have balconies leading out
to a public Promenade deck. Double check with your Executive Travel Consultant to
make sure you have made the right choice in deciding which balcony type is right
for you.
- Suites often include several windows (portholes and/or picture windows) and almost
all feature one or more private ocean-facing balconies.
- Some suites feature premium locations such as the forward and aft portions of the
ship, as well as corners that may feature wrap-around balconies. If available, these
are desirable locations and should be taken quickly.
- Some suites may not have
a balcony. Double check with your Executive Travel Consultant to make sure that
you have chosen the suite stateroom that is right for you.
Should I upgrade to a higher stateroom category?
Everyone has different preferences. Some book inside staterooms to save money or
because they feel they will not be in their stateroom that often. On occasion, the
difference in price between an inside and an ocean view or balcony stateroom is
so minimal that it becomes a great value to upgrade. As cruise lines continue to expand their fleet according
to the recent balcony craze adding more balcony staterooms to their ships, they
have become increasingly affordable to reserve.
How many people fit in my stateroom?
Each
cruise line, cruise ship, and stateroom category differ. Most staterooms
aboard a cruise ship will hold two (2) guests maximum, while others will accommodate
three (3), four (4), and sometimes even five (5) guests maximum. Some newer ships
have suites and family staterooms that can accommodate up to nine (9) guests. Be
sure to advise your Executive Travel Consultant about your party's details so that
the reservations accommodate you comfortably.
What stateroom amenities are included?
Each cruise line's amenities vary based on cruise ship, and sometimes based on stateroom
category. Almost every shipboard stateroom offers two twins or one queen sized bed,
private bathroom with shower (some will even offer a regular or Jacuzzi tub), hair
dryer, vanity area, sitting area, ample closet and storage space, television (some
will even offer a flat screen), and a telephone with cabin-to-cabin and direct ship-to-shore
telephone call capability.
Most ships offer safes with keycard or numeric code access in the staterooms. If
your stateroom is not equipped with a safe, all ships will allow you to secure your
valuables in the ship's vault by visiting the Purser's Desk.
Should I book a "guarantee stateroom" ?
If you are completely flexible in terms of stateroom location onboard the ship,
then this option could offer you the best value for your money. Often referred to
as "run of the house" in hotels around the world, a guarantee stateroom will secure
the type of stateroom you desire at the price agreed upon with your Executive Travel
Consultant. You will not be able to request any specifics as to your stateroom location.
The actual stateroom location will be assigned at the time of check-in. More often
than not, you may receive an upgrade in stateroom category. While this is not guaranteed,
it may be possible to receive an inside to ocean view, ocean view to balcony, or
balcony to suite upgrade. It may also be possible that you receive an upgrade in
the same stateroom type (inside to inside), but a different category.
Will my stateroom be below sea level?
All passenger staterooms are located above sea level. In addition, all balcony staterooms
will be located high enough on the ship to avoid most sea spray.
- Travel Documentation
-
Guidelines/Policies/Health & Wellness
- Ship Terminology
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Everything there is to know about making your reservation, including cruise options,
payment plans, penalties, and Travel Insurance.
- How to Book Your Cruise
- What are Fuel Surcharges?
- Air & Pre-/Post-Hotel
Stays
- Paying for Your Cruise
- Travel insurance
- Register with
the Cruise Line
- Cancellation Policies
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We ensure that the stress is taken out of your pre-cruise preparations with these
helpful hints.
- Reserve Your Shore Excursions
- Special Needs Forms
- Documentation
& Passport Requirements
- What To Pack
- Port Directions & Parking
-
Arriving at the Pier
- Boarding the Ship
- Currency & Exchange
- Customs
& Immigration
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So many choices, so little time... Here you'll find everything you need to know
about cruising etiquette, dining, entertainment, and more.
- Children's Activities
- Dining
- Entertainment
- Staying Connected
-
Health & Wellness
- Etiquette
- Gratuities
- Disembarkation
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When your ship arrives in port, you'll feel prepared knowing what to expect when
it comes to dining, shopping, and shore excursions.
- Getting To & From the Ship
- Shore Excursions & Tours
- Dining
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